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Baylor Basketball

Gameday Thread: No. 15 Baylor Travels To Take On No. 25 Connecticut

December 2, 2024
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No. 15 Baylor (5-2) travels to Storrs, Connecticut, to play two-time defending national champions No. 25 Connecticut (5-3) on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 5:30 p.m. CST. The game will be televised on FS1.

KenPom Prediction: Connecticut 76, Baylor 73

Torvik Prediction: Connecticut 73, Baylor 70

Evan Miyakwa: Connecticut 75, Baylor 72

Haslametrics: Connecticut 73, Baylor 69

Coaches

  • Connecticut: Dan Hurley (51); 297-166 (146-61 at UCONN); 6 NCAAs; 2 Sweet 16s; 2 Elite 8s; 2 FFs; 2 National Championships
  • Baylor: Scott Drew (54); 470-255 overall (440-244 at Baylor); 12 NCAAs; 5 Sweet 16s; 3 Elite 8s; FF; 1 National Championship
  • Head to Head: 0-0

Connecticut Starters

  • Guard: Hassan Diara (Sr.) 6-2 195 lbs; 8 ppg; 3 reb; 5 asst; 51% FG; 35% 3pt; 80% FT
  • Guard: Solo Ball (So.) 6-3 190 lbs; 13 ppg; 2 asst; 51% FG; 46% 3pt; 67% FT 
  • Guard: Liam McNeely (Fr.) 6-7 210 lbs; 13 ppg; 5 reb; 2 asst; 41% FG; 35% 3pt; 80% FT
  • Forward: Alex Karaban (Sr.) 6-8 225 lbs; 16 ppg; 4 reb; 3 asst; 2 blks; 51% FG; 47% 3pt; 83% FT
  • Forward: Samson Johnson (Sr.) 6-10 225 lbs; 7 ppg; 3 reb; 80% FG; 67% FT

Connecticut Bench

  • Forward: Tarris Read (Jr.) 6-10 260 lbs; 11 ppg; 9 reb; 2 blks; 77% FG; 70% FT
  • Forward: Jayden Ross (So.) 6-7 205 lbs; 6 ppg; 3 reb; 2 asst; 43% FG; 22% 3pt; 100% FT
  • Guard: Aidan Mahaney (Jr.) 6-3 185 lbs; 5 ppg; 2 asst; 31% FG; 28% 3pt; 50% FT
  • Forward: Jaylin Stewart (So.) 6-7 215 lbs; 6 ppg; 3 reb; 2 asst; 54% FG; 21% 3pt; 71% FT

Baylor Starters

  • Guard: Jeremy Roach (Sr.) 6-2 180 lbs; 13 ppg; 5 asst; 44% FG; 37% 3pt; 71% FT
  • Guard: Jayden Nunn (Sr.) 6-4 190 lbs; 13 ppg; 4 reb; 2 st; 45% FG; 49% 3pt; 67% FT
  • Guard: VJ Edgecombe (Fr.) 6-5 190 lbs; 11 ppg; 5 reb; 3 asst; 2 st; 2 blks; 37% FG; 27% 3pt 68% FT
  • Forward: Norchad Omier (Sr.) 6-7 245 lbs; 16 ppg; 10 reb; 60% FG; 18% 3pt; 70% FT
  • Forward: Josh Ojianwuna (Jr.) 6-10 255 lbs; 6 ppg; 5 reb; 2 st; 82% FG; 68% FT

Baylor Bench

  • Guard: Langston Love (Jr.) 6-5 215 lbs; 11 ppg; 3 reb; 47% FG; 48% 3p; 78% FT (2023-24 stats)
  • Forward: Jalen Celestine (Sr.) 6-7 215 lbs; 9 ppg; 2 reb; 41% FG; 42% 3pt; 100% FT
  • Guard: Rob Wright (Fr.) 6-1 180 lbs; 12 ppg; 5 asst; 48% FG; 50% 3pt; 79% FT
Discussion from...

Gameday Thread: No. 15 Baylor Travels To Take On No. 25 Connecticut

20,050 Views | 193 Replies | Last: 18 days ago by Big12Fan2024
Big12Fan2024
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In reply to IowaBear • 7:54p, 12/4/24
IowaBear said:
We've played incredibly tough non cons the last several years and it hasn't benefitted us in March. I'd rather play these games than 10 cupcakes. But I think they effect of them is way overvalued
Our bigger problem is we can't seem to get over the injury bug to key contributors.
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IowaBear
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In reply to greggor25 • 7:54p, 12/4/24
Top 3 portal get
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IowaBear
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 7:56p, 12/4/24
This usually falls on the S&C coach. No idea who that is. But at the same time the amount of freak injuries is insane. At some point the law of averages will play out
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gbfell
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7:57p, 12/4/24
Celestine was a non-factor on a night that he was needed.
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Big12Fan2024
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7:57p, 12/4/24
We had 6 assists and 3 TOs at the half.

We finished with 9 assists and 10 TOs, none of those from Wright.
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burg0047
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7:57p, 12/4/24
Hahaha - bad beat
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to gbfell • 7:59p, 12/4/24
gbfell said:
Celestine was a non-factor on a night that he was needed.
Problem with Celestine at Cal was that he was really on for 1 game, then disappeared for several, then repeat the cycle. That's pretty much the trend here so far.
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Dia-del-oso
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8:00p, 12/4/24
A lot of coaching to do before Iowa state. Good thing we have Scott at the helm
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Quinton
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In reply to Big12Fan2024 • 8:01p, 12/4/24
Big12Fan2024 said:
IowaBear said:
Drew has to recruit over Josh in the off season.
Should have done it this year. No offensive threat whatsoever and gets physically beaten to every ball. He's okay against finesse teams only.


Toppin from NM and run two skilled forwards. Needed a big as we all already knew. And if Celestine isn't knocking down near 50% it's a net negative
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IowaBear
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In reply to Dia-del-oso • 8:02p, 12/4/24
That's a pipe dream imo. ISU is the only threat to KU from what I've seen so far
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to Quinton • 8:03p, 12/4/24
That would have been nice. Toppin is a baller.
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Mitch Henessey
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8:08p, 12/4/24
This team fights. We don't do a lot of the little things well, but there's a lot of heart and grit in this squad. I think we'll improve from what we've shown, but the injury bug has already bitten us pretty hard.
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to Mitch Henessey • 8:11p, 12/4/24
Definitely don't think we will lose any games due to lack of effort.
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oldbear69
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8:12p, 12/4/24
we made 6 more fgs , they made 2 more 3s......fts us 12/19...refs 26/33....hello ...ballgame........
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Smashmouth
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8:15p, 12/4/24
My take away from this game is that Rob Wright is an absolute stud
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oldbear69
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In reply to Smashmouth • 8:18p, 12/4/24
Smashmouth said:
My take away from this game is that Rob Wright is an absolute stud
no better guy off the bench than rwlll....
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rileyroo
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8:25p, 12/4/24
Josh O just killed us in this one. We need a big who can score. Near the end of the game, he missed 2 point blank layups, threw the ball to the other team, bricked a free throw, and then fouled a player going to the basket instead of making a play on the ball. Not good at all.

Positives - Wright!
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Big12Fan2024
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In reply to Smashmouth • 8:26p, 12/4/24
Smashmouth said:
My take away from this game is that Rob Wright is an absolute stud
Wright is the personification of why I don't like HS basketball recruiting rankings, which focus more on who is an athletic freak, has a freakish build or who could potentially be a better pro in 5 years than who is a true baller today and can step into a college program and produce immediately.

Wright is a baller who has already shown he can step in today and play high level basketball. There were a lot of kids rated more highly than him based on potential of where they will be in 5 years, physical size, etc. I don't care what they are gonna do in the NBA. I care what they are gonna do for Baylor while they're here.
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BearFan33
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In reply to oldbear69 • 8:29p, 12/4/24
oldbear69 said:
we made 6 more fgs , they made 2 more 3s......fts us 12/19...refs 26/33....hello ...ballgame........


These refs sometimes allowed a wrestling match and other times called touch or phantom fouls. Really frustrating. Made it especially tough on us with a short bench tonight. Free throw discrepancy is really ridiculous considering the amount of driving we did. Fouls given to us during rebounding were particularly questionable.

I think the guys played better defensively. I'm glad to see Love contributing significantly again. Wright is a stud.
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GruntTuff
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In reply to IowaBear • 8:31p, 12/4/24
IowaBear said:
That's a pipe dream imo. ISU is the only threat to KU from what I've seen so far


Kansas struggling a bit on the road tonight against a three loss Creighton.
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IowaBear
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In reply to GruntTuff • 8:32p, 12/4/24
They'll struggle at times this season but the Jayhawks and Clones are the 2 best in the B12 this year barring lots of injuries
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GruntTuff
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8:35p, 12/4/24
I guess Charlie Melton is still our S&C coach. I think he's pretty decent.

Losing to UConn at the wire with two starters out, basically playing 5 most of the last 10 minutes, rimmed out three, etc, I think the Bears acquitted themselves well.
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GruntTuff
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8:36p, 12/4/24
….and very happy to see Langston play so good.
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PaperBear89
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In reply to ImABearToo • 8:40p, 12/4/24
ImABearToo said:
Is our big Russian not ready yet? Dudes huge.

We have a big? Seems like we haven't had a true solid 5 since 2014.
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Hotsauce
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9:01p, 12/4/24
Still like this team. College basketball is won with guard play, and RW3, Nunn, Roach, and LL are going to be impossible to fully account for (assuming they can stay healthy). The problem is Omier can't play 40 mins a game. He goes out...just close your eyes and hope that Josh O doesn't hurt us. The front court is paper thin.

I think Edge could have really helped us tonight. Guards were getting to the rim. Would have liked to have seen more kick outs for three though. Not enough 3PAs tonight. Nunn with just 2 attempts can't happen.

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Crawfoso1973
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9:22p, 12/4/24
Once we get everyone healthy and if we can stay that way, I think our depth concerns will disappear. We started off the year with VJ but had Love out, and tonight it was the opposite. We have a solid 8 man rotation once VJ and Roach return. Once everyone is back healthy, I think we will play a lot of small ball with Josh shrinking into a true backup role behind Omier. I don't think they will play together much at all. I had high hopes for Josh developing over the offseason, but he has regressed. We also need a lot more from Celestine on a consistent basis. Was thrilled to see vintage Love tonight. He looks about 90% of his old self. Wright's minutes and role should continue to increase even when the team is at full strength. Absolute stud who keeps getting better and better with every game.
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Yogi
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9:31p, 12/4/24
In other news Kansas had an opportunity to carry the conferencence banner tonight and is losing by 16 to Creighton instead.

This ultimately may limit the number of XII teams that get an invite this season.
"Smarter than the Average Bear."
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boognish_bear
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9:40p, 12/4/24
12 of 19 from the stripe didn't help...seems like FTs are always a soft spot for us
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bear2be2
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 9:45p, 12/4/24
Crawfoso1973 said:
Once we get everyone healthy and if we can stay that way, I think our depth concerns will disappear. We started off the year with VJ but had Love out, and tonight it was the opposite. We have a solid 8 man rotation once VJ and Roach return. Once everyone is back healthy, I think we will play a lot of small ball with Josh shrinking into a true backup role behind Omier. I don't think they will play together much at all. I had high hopes for Josh developing over the offseason, but he has regressed. We also need a lot more from Celestine on a consistent basis. Was thrilled to see vintage Love tonight. He looks about 90% of his old self. Wright's minutes and role should continue to increase even when the team is at full strength. Absolute stud who keeps getting better and better with every game.
The problem with this team that isn't going anywhere is that we only have two true front court players.

And you can't play positionless basketball when four of the five guys on the court are 6-5 or shorter (or play that way, in Celestine's case).

I think we'll be solid this season, but I don't think this team's ceiling is very high. The roster is just really poorly constructed IMO.
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Stefano DiMera
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In reply to Yogi • 9:46p, 12/4/24
A #1 team loses on the road in December..and that will limit the # of Big 12 teams?!
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Stefano DiMera
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9:49p, 12/4/24
How can I be politically correct here..

We need to abandon the 'Basketball Beyond Borders ' recruiting philosophy at the center position by stop recruiting people who just picked up a ball at 18..and going after a more Americanized version of a center that's been playing all their life.
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Quinton
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In reply to gbfell • 10:05p, 12/4/24
gbfell said:
Celestine not even close on his 3s tonight.


He's a mid major player if he isn't hitting the open 3s at a very high clip.
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Quinton
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In reply to Crawfoso1973 • 10:15p, 12/4/24
Yep, as we said in the offseason Wright with 3 more inches is a top 10 pick today. Great skills and didn't get lost quite as much on D today. Concerned about Josh and Celestine.
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boognish_bear
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11:55p, 12/4/24
Pat on the head from Hurley

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Stefano DiMera
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In reply to boognish_bear • 11:59p, 12/4/24
If healthy...and stay healthy.

Cause we ain't deep
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